Medina

In 1822, the old medina at the foot of the Atlas Mountains is being rebuilt after years of neglect. Each player receives a wooden kit – palace blocks in orange, brown, gray and black, stables, markets and wall sections – all hidden behind a cardboard shield. On each turn you place two pieces on the 13 × 18 square grid, either extending a palace already in play or starting a new one when the current palace of that colour is finished. The goal is to complete four palaces (one of each colour) and score one point for every square occupied, for each intersection with markets and walls, plus bonuses for the largest palace of each colour and for the most recent palace that touches each of the four walls growing from the board corners. The actions are easy to grasp, yet the race for space and control of valuable zones creates constant tension. A typical game lasts about an hour and supports three or four players. The wooden components look premium, and the Arabian‑desert theme adds a historic charm. While the tile‑placement mechanic is simple, juggling the development of four palaces at once provides enough depth for fans of abstract strategy who prefer minimal luck.